| Dear Friend: We are pleased to provide you with the January 2005 edition of the MMRC Update. This monthly briefing was created to keep you informed of the MMRC's progress toward its ultimate goal of accelerating drug development and improving patient outcomes. We hope you find this newsletter informative and we welcome any feedback you may have. For more information, contact us at info@themmrc.org. Thank you for your support of the MMRC. |
The MMRC has initiated a pre-clinical screening and correlative sciences study, led by Principle Investigator Keith Stewart, MD, University of Toronto, to identify and validate optimal screening methods to detect myeloma patients who exhibit a translocation of t(4;14) and express FGFR3, a poor prognostic indicator for myeloma. Launched in late fall of 2004, tissue accrual and laboratory analysis for this project is well underway. Patients confirmed to have this genetic profile may qualify to participate in future clinical trials exploring drug candidates active against this target.
Recognizing the rapid changes in science, leaders from all corners of the research community gathered on Jan. 19 in Chicago, Ill. to evolve a scientific agenda for the myeloma community that would reflect today's dynamic research landscape. Convened by the MMRC President with the support of PricewaterhouseCoopers, the Multiple Myeloma Scientific Agenda Roundtable aimed to produce a detailed roadmap representing the most effective and efficient ways to understand the disease and drive new therapies to patients. Working groups in three key areas of myeloma research - genomics and proteomics, target/compound validation and prioritization, and clinical trials and correlative science-were established. Proceedings from the Roundtable will be compiled into a white paper to drive future projects at the MMRC and a future publication to broadly communicate our findings.
The MMRC is pleased to announce that it has received a donation of $1,000,000 from Eddie and Leslye Phillips to support the development of the MMRC's three research cores. Mr. Phillips, son of the creator of the world-renowned column "Dear Abby," is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Millennium Import LLC, worldwide marketers of Belvedere and Chopin vodka. "After I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, I became aware of the passion and commitment of Kathy Giusti, MMRC's President and Founder, and the efficient work that the MMRC is doing to find a cure for this disease," said Mr. Phillips. "The MMRC has made it possible to put needed resources behind this uncommon disease, helping thousands of people each year." The MMRC is currently seeking matching funds on behalf of this grant to support pivotal projects in drug development. The MMRC extends its heartfelt appreciation for the receipt of this generous donation.
